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Rochford Aerodrome
16th July 1916
15th Sept 1916
21st June 1917 Bombs
27th June 1917 New training squadron formed
7th July 1917
24th July 1917 No 61 Squadron was nominally formed at Rochford out of 198 Depot Squadron on the 24th of July 1917. It acquired aircraft, Sopwith Pups, and pilots on the 2nd August and commenced duties as a Home Defence squadron protecting the Thames Estuary. More info.
12th August 1917 Gotha Daylight Raids About 5 p.m. on the 12th of August 1917 ten Gothas, in formation, were seen approaching Felixstowe. However they turned south and, at 5.50 p.m., were over Rochford, where they dropped three bombs, two of which fell near the hangars on the aerodrome of No. 61 Squadron and wounded two mechanics. A formation of sixteen Sopwith 'Pups' of the squadron had been scrambled to intercept the bombers which turned for home, dropping bombs on Southend and Shoeburyness as they went and killing 32 civilians and injuring 43.
The Pups were unable to catch the Gothas before they ran out of petrol and were forced to turn back, but F/Lt H.S. Kerby, who had gone up from RNAS Walmer in another Sopwith Pup', attacked a Gotha which, apparently in difficulties, was flying about 4,000 feet below the main formation. He forced the Gotha down on the water, where it overturned. One member of the crew was seen to be clinging to the tail, and Flight Lieutenant Kerby dropped a lifebelt in the hope that the German would be enabled to keep afloat until help arrived. It was afterwards announced by the Germans that the Gotha had been lost with its crew. Four other Gothas crashed on landing.
John Doran. The War In The Air Vol. V; H. A. Jones; Clarendon Press, Oxford
12th August 1917
28th Aug 1917
5th Sept 1917
6th December 1917 Gotha crash landing
1st January 1918 New Home Defence Squadron formed
January 1918 Night patrols
February 1918 Move to Biggin Hill
7th March 1918 Mid-air collision
1st October 1918 New Night Fighter Squadron formed
18th October 1918 On the Move
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Those known to have served at Rochford Aerodrome during the Great War 1914-1918. - Stroud Henry Clifford. Capt. (d.8th March 1918)
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